§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Postmaster-General whether he has received any complaints regarding the condition in the telephone system in Manchester; whether he is aware that a snowstorm on 4th January put a number of telephones out of order and repairs have not yet been effected; and whether some additional measures will be taken immediately to expedite the work of repair and put an end to the inconvenience now being suffered, especially by business firms?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHComplaints have been received concerning the telephone service in Manchester. Approximately 15,000 subscribers' lines were broken down by the snowstorm in the Manchester area, in addition to a large number of main telegraph and telephone lines. Every available man has been employed in making good the damage. In the absence of many skilled men on military duty, the local staff is much below normal strength, and it has therefore been augmented from other districts and by military units. About 11,000 subscribers' lines have already been repaired, and the work which still remains to be done is being expedited.